What a Florida hardship license is and who can get one
A hardship license in Florida is a restricted driving permit that lets you drive to specific places — usually work, school, medical appointments, and court — while your regular license is suspended. You cannot use it for any other reason, and you must carry it with you every time you drive.
You can request a hardship license if your suspension is due to a DUI conviction, accumulating too many points on your driving record, or failing to pay traffic fines or child support. You cannot get one if your license was suspended for medical reasons, if you are a habitual traffic offender, or if you refused a breath or blood test after a DUI arrest in certain circumstances.
The hardship license is not automatic. You must request it from the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV), and approval depends on your specific reason for suspension and how long you have already served of your suspension period.
Key Takeaways
- A hardship license lets you drive only to work, school, medical care, court, and a few other essential places while your regular license is suspended.
- You must wait a minimum period before requesting one — usually 30 days for a points suspension, but longer for DUI-related suspensions.
- You will need to complete a substance abuse course if your suspension is DUI-related, and you must show proof of insurance and a valid vehicle registration.
- You submit your request to DHSMV in person at a local driver license office, along with required documents and a fee.
- Approval is not may provide, and you must follow the restrictions exactly — driving outside the permitted purposes can result in arrest and a longer suspension.
Minimum waiting periods before you can request a hardship license
Florida does not let you request a hardship license on the first day of your suspension. The waiting period depends on why your license was suspended.
If your suspension is for accumulating points (12 or more points in 12 months, 18 points in 18 months, or 24 points in 36 months), you must wait 30 days before requesting a hardship license. If your suspension is for unpaid traffic fines or failure to pay child support, you also wait 30 days. If you are suspended for a first DUI conviction, you must wait 90 days. For a second or subsequent DUI within 5 years, the waiting period is 1 year.
Count the waiting period from the date your suspension began, not from the date you received the notice. If you are unsure when your suspension started, contact DHSMV or check your suspension notice.
Documents and proof you will need to bring
When you go to request your hardship license, bring your current ID (passport, military ID, or another government-issued photo ID), your Social Security number, and proof of Florida residency such as a utility bill or lease dated within the last 60 days.
You will also need proof of insurance. Florida law requires that any vehicle you plan to drive while on a hardship license be insured. Bring your insurance card or a letter from your insurance company showing your policy number, the vehicle identification number (VIN), and that coverage is active. If your suspension is DUI-related, you must also bring proof that you completed a substance abuse course — this is a state-approved DUI education or treatment program, and your course provider will give you a certificate of completion.
Bring your vehicle registration as well. If the vehicle is registered to someone else, bring a notarized letter from that person giving you permission to drive it. Have the correct fee ready — as of 2024, the hardship license fee is $75, but confirm the current amount when you call to schedule your appointment.
The substance abuse course requirement for DUI suspensions
If your suspension is tied to a DUI arrest or conviction, Florida requires you to complete a substance abuse course before DHSMV will even consider your hardship license request. This is not optional, and you cannot skip it or substitute another course.
The course must be approved by the Florida Department of Health. It typically runs 4 to 8 hours and covers alcohol and drug awareness, impaired driving risks, and related topics. You can take it online or in person, depending on the provider. Search for approved providers on the DHSMV website or ask at your local driver license office for a list.
Once you finish the course, the provider will give you a certificate of completion. Keep this certificate — you must bring it with you when you request your hardship license. If you lose it, contact the course provider and ask for a replacement.
How to request your hardship license at a driver license office
You must request your hardship license in person at a Florida driver license office. You cannot do it by mail or online. Call ahead or check the DHSMV website to find the office nearest you and to see if you need to schedule an appointment — many offices now require appointments, and walk-ins may face long waits or be turned away.
Bring all your documents in a folder or envelope so they do not get lost or separated. When you arrive, tell the clerk you are requesting a hardship license. They will review your documents, confirm that you have met the waiting period, and check that your suspension reason allows a hardship license. If everything is in order, they will take your fee and photograph you for the hardship license card.
The hardship license is usually issued on the spot or within a few days. You will receive a card that lists the specific purposes you are allowed to drive for — read it carefully and keep it with you every time you drive. Some offices mail the card to you instead; ask before you leave.
Permitted purposes and restrictions you must follow
Your hardship license will list the specific purposes you are allowed to drive for. These typically include driving to and from work, school, medical appointments, court-ordered programs, and religious services. Some hardship licenses also permit driving to a substance abuse treatment program or to meet with a probation officer.
You cannot drive for any other reason. This means no trips to the grocery store, the gym, a friend's house, or anywhere else not on your permit. If you are stopped by police and cannot explain why you are driving, you can be arrested for driving with a suspended license, and your hardship license will be revoked. Your suspension will also be extended.
You must carry your hardship license card with you at all times while driving. You must also carry proof of insurance and your vehicle registration. If you are pulled over and do not have your hardship license, you will be treated as if you are driving with a suspended license.
What happens if you violate the hardship license restrictions
Driving outside the permitted purposes — for example, stopping at a store on the way home from work — is a criminal offense in Florida. You can be arrested and charged with driving with a suspended license, which carries a fine of $250 to $500 and up to 60 days in jail for a first offense.
When you are arrested for violating your hardship license, the hardship license is revoked when ready. Your original suspension continues, and an additional suspension period is added on top of it. The length of the additional suspension depends on your driving history and the reason for the original suspension, but it can range from 6 months to several years.
Police can also impound your vehicle if you are caught driving on a hardship license outside the permitted purposes. You will have to pay towing and storage fees to get it back, in addition to any fines or jail time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a hardship license if I have a DUI but have not been convicted yet?
It depends on the stage of your case. If your license was suspended administratively after a DUI arrest (before trial), you may be able to request a hardship license after 90 days if you complete a substance abuse course. If you have been convicted, the same rule applies. Contact DHSMV or your local driver license office to confirm your suspension type and may be able to access.
What if I need to drive to a place not listed on my hardship license?
You cannot drive there, even if it is an emergency. If you have a genuine hardship that is not covered by your current permit — for example, a new job in a different location — you can request that DHSMV modify your hardship license. Bring documentation of the new need (a job offer letter, a medical referral, etc.) to a driver license office and ask about amending your permit.
How long does a hardship license last?
A hardship license is valid only for the duration of your suspension. Once your suspension period ends and your regular license is reinstated, your hardship license expires automatically. You do not need to turn it in, but you cannot drive on it anymore.
Can I drive someone else's car on my hardship license?
Only if that vehicle is listed on your hardship license permit. When you request the hardship license, you must tell DHSMV which vehicle you will be driving. If you need to switch to a different vehicle, go back to a driver license office and ask to update your permit. You will need the new vehicle's registration and proof of insurance.
What if I was denied a hardship license?
DHSMV will tell you the reason for the denial. Common reasons include not meeting the waiting period, not completing a required substance abuse course, or having a suspension type that does not allow a hardship license (such as a medical suspension). If you believe the denial was wrong, contact DHSMV to ask about the next steps, which may include a hearing before an administrative judge.